Busan

So, it has been ages since I have posted on this blog. It started out as Asian Adventures to keep everyone updated on the excitement of Korea. It turned out to be everyday life for me so I stopped posting.

I will say that never in a million years would I have thought I would end up in Korea. Yet, here I am. It is almost one in the morning here and what has driven me to write so late is the fact that yet again, I am having difficulty sleeping. Since I have last written it has been a bit of a whirlwind. My dearest uncle has passed, along with my wonderful cousin Nancy, and my beloved friend Kijafa. All deaths have affected my family greatly and has really left an impact on my life. Being over here and having had to deal with that has been difficult. I feel that I have lost touch with friends and that is not my intention. I love and miss everyone. All the deaths of those close to me have left me on shakey ground with my faith.

I love Korea but I must admit that right now I feel rather lonely. I don't even know how to shake myself out of it. Sometimes I have such an immense sadness and i don't know how to make it right. These things take time I realize...I just hate the feeling. I have thrown myself into exercising...it seems to be the one thing I can control.

Also, since the last I wrote, I have moved to a new city...its the second largest next to Seoul. I now live in Busan South Korea a ten minute bike ride from the beach. The beach is lovely. I look forward to just riding my bike down there and sitting and listening to the ocean. I will admit, when I was in college I didn't take advantage of the beach! In the beginning I hated it here. I wanted nothing more than to stay in Seoul and be with my friends. Now, I think of it as a fresh start maybe?? I am still convincing myself of that, but it is good. I have met some pretty wonderful people. Thank God for my new friend Shannon here as she saves me from becoming a hermit. I know this is hard for you all to believe because you know I am talkative and sociable, but seriously...I just don't have the energy or desire to search for a new 'family' in Korea.

Also, since I have been here some pretty wonderful things have happened for my friends back home. Michelle got married, Nicki got pregnant, Erika had her second child, Stacy is getting married, Rebecca had a baby, and Allison had a baby! So many wonderful things!! So on days when I am feeling blue I just like to think of all of the GOOD news that is happening in peoples lives.

I often think of coming home. I think maybe I am a bit scared to do so. Its a scary thing! I don't want to stay in Korea forever, but I know things at home have changed SO much. We are all living our lives...and some of our lives just take on different paths. Maybe I am a bit nervous to be thrown into all of your paths...although I do look forward to being some place where I don't have to mime the things that I need or want. However, I will miss being a celebrity when I come home. Here I am very special! They see me walking down the street and you would think I was Beyonce! If only I had Beyonce money :) Anyhow, until next time...this I hope will help me better to sleep! love you all

Months Later

So, I realize it has been quite sometime since my latest blog, but I assure you, these stories will be worth the wait. It is hard for me to believe I have been in Korea for 6 months now. The time here just seems to fly by. It's a good thing and a bad thing. I love it here and time goes quickly, but at the same time, I feel like my life is just passing by so quickly! I leave for The Philippines next Saturday and am extremely excited about that. I will have some amazing pictures to share with you.

So, starting on the good stuff. I believe I was a victim of a hate crime...no really, but don't worry, I got her in the end. Jenny and I were on our way back from our Korean lessons and stepped on the escalator when a psycho korean girl (late 20's) got on and grabbed my arm extremely hard and was mumbling in korean. She was shaking my arm and then punched me in my arm! YES SHE DID GIRL, YES SHE DID! I was in shock and confused as hell as to what was going on. I was like, what is going on!? I was moving over to the side to let the people pass and this woman was crazy. First of all, I am clearly bigger than all the Koreans over here. If I were going to pick someone to start something with, it definitely wouldn't be me! So as Jenny and I were standing in shock, last minute I kicked out my leg and kicked her on her way down the escalator. Now...I didn't kick her as hard as I wanted to, because she was on her way down, but I did kick her. I couldn't believe it. I was like really? I looked around to see if anyone else noticed this crazy lady and the two old men standing behind us were like crazy lady. I was like I know right!

Even telling that story gets me all fired up! Onto the next story...for two weeks I covered for a friend who teaches kindegarten in the mornings because she went on vacation. The kids were so cute. I had one little girl come up to me confused the first day I came in and said to me in korean. "I don't know...teacher's face should be white". But the way she said it was like, 'are you ok?" She was so confused. So I told her that it was ok and that we come in all different colors. I gave her a high five, and she moved on. Adorable! So the next time I was in class helping the same child, she couldn't help herself...she took her little hand and rubbed my skin to see if the color would come off. After it didn't she was like...well I guess it's ok! hahahahahaha! So innocent and so cute. She just genuinely didn't know. I am the first black person that many of these children have ever come into contact with. I am like a celebrity in Korea!

Then I had a sort of pseudo-stalker. He didn't know where I lived or anything so thats what keeps him from being a real stalker. He was more obssessed with my cousin than he was with me...but he would keep sending me text about foot rubs and stuff. He was a fan of Boston College which is where my cousin played football...when it was about to be draft time he started textimg me hardcore. We met one time at a very busy bar and had a conversation. Then he asked, after a month of not talking or no contact if I wanted to go to a formal event with him. I didn't even make up an excuse...I just told him I would pass. Might sound harsh...but really. BTW, my cousin did get signed to Kansas football team! Anyhow...I am sure I will have some fabulous stories to tell you when I get back from the islands! Love you all and I promise not to wait so long next time!

It's been a while!

I realize it has been quite sometime since my last blog. So I should have lots to tell you shouldn't I! I feel like things are becoming quite normal here. I am getting over seeing people dressed like animals and the heads of dead animals on the streets I guess. I don't know if that is scary or a good thing!

I had a Valentines Day here and it was fine...nothing unusual. I have to say though that last year was the best V-day I have ever had...it could have something to do with the fact that I was with a guy that I wish was the one for me, but sadly know I am not the one for him. This V-day was ok though. I hung out with my friend Matt, and then there was Bruno. I don't know if you remember the initial story of Bruno and his dancing. Yeah...on V-day he was actually told that he was disturbing the other dancers! It was HYSTERICAL. I told that joker to stop spinning on his knees and what not.

Oh...just two days ago I saw the oddest thing and looked around to see if anyone else thought it was odd, but they were just chillen! I was waiting at a very busy intersection to cross the street when a guy on one of those rotor rooters (you know the motorized wheel-chair-like things) pulled up to the red light and stopped. He was in the street! Using it like it was a motor vehicle. I was like...ummmm, sir, I'm pretty sure you should be on the sidewalk. Thats just me though. At least he was following the traffic laws!

Nothing too exciting to tell though. I have been doing well, and having fun. I am on a serious health kick and am happy to report I am down 17.8 lbs. Of course tonight I made some chicken parmesean so that could all change tomorrow. I should have more interesting stories soon since the weather is getting nice. I will have some awesome pictures to post as well. Next month I am going to the DMZ which is the border between NK and SK. No worries! It's a tour...but how much you want to bet I will be the only black person? Yeah...I know.

Being in SK has really opened my eyes to lots of different things. It shows me that I can be independent. As much as I miss you all, I am really grateful for this experience. Not to say that I don't get lonely because that has always been there and will probably always be. But, the fact is, I can be surrounded by friends and family of those who love me and I love, and still be lonely. At least I am here doing something for me, and am having an experience of a lifetime. I love you all and promise to try and stay on the ball in my writing :) xoxo

Ski Trip and Daegu

Let me just start out by saying, that I had a wonderful time...and the saga begins (cue music of dread).

So the day began just like any other day...except for the fact that I had stayed up too late the day before and had to get up early to catch my ride to the mountains. The drive was way more complicated than necessary because thats just how Koreans do things. Instead of following eachother they decided to pick random spots on the highway to pull over on the side of the road and say hi. Why you may ask? I still don't know. Anyhow, after trying to RE-sort out ski boot sizes (I say RE because we had already done this before we left, however it made no difference, because we did it again upon arrival) we head to the mountain.

It was beautiful...I wish I could say it was breath taking, but I was so afraid one of the Koreans would just run into me like they normally do in the grocery store with their shopping carts, that I didn't want to risk standing long enough for it to take my breath away.

It truly was phenomonal though. The snow was perfect, it was smooth and not too icy...I didn't fall once! woo hoo...of course last year when I wiped out, that should cover at least the next three years since I rolled like 8 times before I stopped. The mountains and skiing were perfect. Oh yeah...I also got to see some people dressed up in halloween costumes again. See the photos!

Then we move onto the evening hours where drinking and craziness ensued. We stayed at these places they call pensions. I thought we were staying at a hotel because the manager said he was going to get two rooms...one for girls and one for boys. So I am expecting to walk into a hotel room...ummm, nope! It was exactly what he said! A room! with a floor. ok so yeah, they did have a mat and a pillow for you to put down, but I am home now and I have never been happier to see a bed in my life. One of the guys who I have deemed 'Godzilla' snored SO loud that it was nearly impossible to hear anything else. Not to mention the rooster that decided to crow at like 5 am.

I am getting ahead of myself though...let me back up. We cooked and we ate and were merry (drinking goes without saying). Me and my friend David decided to amuse ourselves at one point and made up a game where you had to stack these cheeto like things on a beer bottle like Jenga. Who knew it was going to be a hit! Yeah...eventually everyone wanted in. I want royalties!

There was a love like triangle going on between a few people and I just needed some popcorn and a lawn chair so I could be ready. I felt fists might be thrown in the drunken stupor. Fists DID fly but not by the love triangle...by the married couple! What the hell? Where am I again? The wife punches the husband in the face twice...they leave...next thing I know I am outside and he is trying to leave and she is screaming like he has her by the hair. I go in to get the guys and they come out...Lord have mercy. I'm thinking to myself...thats my ride! Where are THEY going!? hahaha...no seriously, I shouldn't make light of the situation because I was quite disturbed. The way they were yelling and causing a scene was embarrassing because the next morning everything was hunky dory! oh yeah, they were acting like none of it happend. Apparently this is something that goes down in Korea...lots of drama. The guys are like no they are fine...its just part of the relationship! HUH?!

Now you know, if you heard MY boyfriend yelling at me or I was yelling at him...you guys would step in to find out what was up. Not here! They let them handle it. My friends would have been by my side and not listening at the door to hear what happened next. Anyhow, after all that drama I had to go to bed only to have my 'floor mates' snoring along with 'godzilla' next store. Again...so happy to be in my house! It was quite a weekend!

I hate to get long winded here but I never told you about Daegu. That was last weekend and it was a blast. There were random things that were so odd that I had to take pictures of it...a pigs head was on the sidewalk with the trash...a real pigs head...the whole thing. again...HUH? Do they just have pig heads to put out? SK also has FUBU...why? AND, there was a totally inappropriate display of mannequins. Of course I have to post these photos for you because they are unbelievable. The entertainment was fun though! Until next time!

New Years and Such

I find my self looking at life differently these days. I have no idea where it came from. Was it the New year bringing in such feelings and thoughts, or is it this ridiculously pretentious book 'Eat, Pray, Love' that I have been reading. To be honest, I haven't gotten through the first 30 pages, because the writer really gets on my nerves. But seriously the one thing I have taken from the first 20 pages of the book is to look at the world with your heart instead of your head. Kind of hard to do since I have to look with my eyes which are in my head, but I get it!

Let's start with New Years. I had a blast. Good friends, too many drinks equals a good time and a new rug for my apartment since apparently that night I woke up and missed the trashcan. I will save you those details. Anyhow, we had to work New Years day, but it wasn't so bad. That night after work I came home and just sat and was truly grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to have an amazing experience, for my friends back home, for my friends I met here, and for my family who I couldn't possibly do this without. This is where seeing the world with my heart comes in.

It's helpful for me to look at things this way because when I play 'chicken' (as Jenny calls it) with the Koreans to see who will get out of the way, normally I get frustrated. They just walk right at you like you are supposed to move. I want to be like, um, 'scuse me, you don't own the world! Now it doesn't bother me at all...I just don't move :) So if they want to go around they have to move. I am bigger than them after all...I win. Since I am on the topic of Koreans...let me tell you something else. They walk around in the tiniest skirt that would serve as a headband for me and some tights and then talk about how cold it is! What the hell...put on some clothes! Then maybe you won't be cold....silly Asian. Ok, I digress, I am supposed to be talking about seeing the world with your heart.

So I will tell you...in the past I would never have gone to a restaraunt by myself or a coffee shop, but I can do it now, and am completely secure with doing so. It feels nice. I know that I came all the way to Korea which some of you may think shows a sense of independence and bravery, but I really think that me being able to sit in a restaraunt alone is a new level for me. I am not worried about who is looking at me or what they think. I just bring my books to study or a book to read and don't heed anyone around me. It really is an amazing feeling to be completely comfortable, and nonjudged.

On another note, my students this unit are adorable. They are the smallest things I have ever seen, and so cute that I just want to tell them to sit on my lap for the whole class. I swear the kids here come out from the womb and look like walking fetus'. They are too little! I think I will adopt a Korean on my way home and then I will be just like everyone else in America who now has an Asian kid...maybe I will name him Maddox the second.

I have also decided that Korea is the city for fashion and high heels. I really don't know how the girls here walk around in the shoes they do. I realize this comment makes me sound like I am 40, but I am seriously perplexed! These shoes are outta control! I would be on the ground. I honestly don't even know if I will be able to walk in high heels ever again since all I wear is flats. It makes me feel like less of a woman since these little Koreans can walk around in heels all day and if I put them on for thirty minutes I'm ready to sit. Whats their secret? I don't know but if I find out I will let you know! Love you guys and until next time...Annyeonghegasehyo!

The Day After

So Christmas has passed and I made it through the holiday alright. It was strange being away from my family on Christmas but it didn't realy feel like Christmas to me at all so I didn't cry. I have posted a picture of one of my favorite classes. These kids are hilarious and keep me laughing.

The picture of the snow is from today. I went to see Avatar with Jenny and Mike (Jenny is the girl in the picture with me on my profile) and when we came out the snow had really settled! There was definitely enough to make a snowman.

Since we have last spoken I have seen some pretty interesting things, and I got some birthday cake from strangers! We all know how much I love cake. I was with my friend Matt at this Japanese place and some people were celebrating their birthday.He was like, tonight we are going to get some free cake. So he interrupts their meal and celebration to tell them happy birthday. It was really funny. So of course when they cut the cake, they brought cake over to our table. I didn't want to be rude and not eat it...so of course we dug in....almost asked for seconds. haha. But seriously, it is their custom here to share with surrounding people..especially if you wish them a happy birthday. I wish somebody would try that in America. We would be like, Thanks, but you are not getting any of my cake, so keep it movin!

I also saw a random person dressed up as a pink bunny again. I really don't know what it is with these people and dressing up in random costumes. Sometimes I find myself being like, why am I surrounded by so many Asians!? Oh yeah...I'm in Korea.

In a couple of weeks I am going back to Daegu to see one of my friends off as it is the end of her contract. And then the week after I am going skiing! So I am sure I will have some more entertaining stories for you all. Hopefully I won't wipe out as bad as I did last year on the slopes, where my skiis were brought to me by a complete stranger and I had to walk down the slope. that was fun. Anyway...I hope all is well and I will talk to you soon!

Christmas in Korea

It's so hard for me to believe that it's practically already the middle of December!

So since we've spoken last, I have started taking Korean lessons which I find to be a wonderful challenge. I go three times a week and then practice with friends throughout. It's so hard! Now I know how the Koreans feel trying to learn English. So I have only had like 5 lessons total and still don't know much of anything, but on my walk home one day a Korean man asked me for directions...in Korean. Now you tell me, do I really look THAT confident walking in a foreign country? As a matter of fact, the only reason I knew he was asking for directions is because he was pointing and the change in his pitch at the end of his sentence. I figured that must be what he was wondering because I knew where I was going. Anyhow, there are some pretty interesting things that I see here in Korea. One of their traditions here is to bow to one another as a sign of respect. The other day I was walking home and there were like 15 Koreans leaving a coffee shop, and they were saying their goodbyes and I swear it took like 10 minutes because everyone was bowing. Then randomly, I see people dressed in what I assume are halloween costumes except halloween has been over for the past month. So why do I randomly see a pink bunny walking around, or people dressed like a horse with the head intact? I'm not really sure...I just shake my head and smile to myself and think, 'only in Korea'.

So an update on my outtings...I haven't been any place new since he last time, but last weekend for Jenny's birthday we went to a Bulgarian restaraunt. Then we went to this bar that I swear was a retirement community. I was like...ummmm, I think it's time to go. So we go upstairs (to another retirement community, except these guys are quite in Depends yet) and this man sits next to me at the bar and chats. I spoke to him briefly because its the nice thing to do...but the man was clearly 50+. He worked for Homeland Security and was in SK for business. His friends come over and they are acting like they are 18 year old frat boys. They were like we are gonna go, but if you want to stay man you should! I was pretending not to hear because all I could think was are they serious? Long story short, he invites me to his hotel room if I want to have 'fun' later. Seriously? Sir, not in THIS lifetime. What a pig...not only was he like 2 decades older than me, but he definitely had a wedding ring on. But, he was staying at the Westin, and I would have love to use that bathroom...aaaaah, a bathtub!

Anyhow, I am hoping to have some more pics to post soon of more traditional things! I am going to take my nice camera to work tomorrow so I can show you my students! Talk to you guys soon!